Our water system will soon begin a water line maintenance and / or construction project that may affect the lead content of your potable water supply.  Lead, a metal found in natural deposits, is harmful to human health, especially young children, and pregnant women.  It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that can carry oxygen to all parts of your body.  The most common exposure to lead is swallowing or breathing in lead paint chips and dust.  However, lead in drinking water can also be a source of lead exposure.  In the past, lead was used in some water service lines and household plumbing materials.  Lead in water usually occurs through corrosion of plumbing products containing lead: however, disruption (construction or maintenance) of lead service lines may also temporarily increase lead levels in the water supply.  This disruption may be sometimes caused by water main maintenance / replacement.  As of June 19, 1986, new or replaced water service lines and new household plumbing materials could not contain more than 8% lead.  Lead content was further reduced on January 4, 2014, when plumbing materials must now be certified as “lead-free” to be used (weighted average of wetted surface cannot be more than 0.25% lead).

The purpose of this notice is for informational purposes only.  While it’s not known for certain whether or not this particular water line maintenance and / or construction project will adversely affect the lead (if present) plumbing in and outside your home, below describes some information about the repair / project and some preventative measures you can take to help reduce the amount of lead in drinking water.

Repair / Project location and description:

Enclosed is a project location and exhibit showing the location of the project.  The work generally includes replacement of the water main and water services. Detailed project information and construction updates are available at Joliet.gov/construction-zone.

What you can do to reduce lead exposure in drinking water during a water line maintenance / construction project:

Run your water to flush out lead.  If the plumbing in your home is accessible; you may be able to inspect your own plumbing to determine whether or not you have a lead service line.  Otherwise, you will most likely have to hire a plumber.

• If you do not have a lead service line, running the water for 1-2 minutes at the kitchen tap should clear the lead from your household plumbing to the kitchen tap.Once you have done this, fill a container with water and store it in the refrigerator for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula throughout the day.
• If you do have a lead service line, flushing times can vary based on the length of your lead service line and the plumbing configuration in your home.The length of lead service lines varies considerably.Flushing for at least 3 – 5 minutes is recommended.

Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.  Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily in hot water.  Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.

Look for alternative sources or treatment of water.  You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter that is certified to remove “total lead.”

Clean and remove any debris from faucet aerators on a regular basis.

Do not boil water to remove lead.  Boiling water will not reduce lead.

Purchase lead-free faucets and plumbing components.

Remove the entire lead service line.

Test your water for lead.  Call the City of Joliet at 815-724-4220 to test your water at no cost.

• If test results indicate a lead level above 15 ug/L, bottled water should be used by pregnant women, breastfeeding women, young children, and formula-fed infants.